The Unexpected Roommate

Chapter 7

     "Averys," Vicky says and I push him off of me. "By all means please don't stop on my account. I need to find Carmen." Vicky winks at me and walks off. "Safe s*x is the best sex." She shouts over her shoulder.

     "I should probably go after her," I say turning on my heels. I walk slowly hoping he would reach out to stop me, but he doesn't. I wait until I reach the very end of the hallway to look back and he is gone.

     Asshole.

     I head back to the table and see more of Avery's friends occupying it. I look around the bar and dance floor for Vicky. Where the hell did she go that quickly? I send her a quick text saying I'm headed home and alone. I can't believe Avery and Victoria would leave me hanging like this. Don't they know I'm a drunken mess.

     "Excuse me," I look up to see one of Avery's male friend talking to me.

     "Hm?"

     "I asked if you wanted to join us? You're roommates with Avery so that technically makes you one of us." He runs his fingers through his dark black curly hair. I watch as his biceps come to life right before my eyes. I slowly lick my lips, why do I have to be this drunk.

     "I—"

     "Avery," I spin around to the sound of Vicky's voice. Thank the heavens she didn't leave without me. "You ready?"

     "For?"

     "Your text message," she holds up her phone. Drunk or not Vicky and I have this unspoken rule. You come together and you leave together. One of us is usually the sober one, but tonight I guess we had other plans.

     "You can stay with us and I'll take you home?"

     "And you are?" Vicky glares at him.

     "Eric," he smiles at her and Vicky scoffs.

     "Well Eric," she mimics him. "We're leaving."

     "Vicky," I look at her with wide eyes and she pulls us away from Eric. "What is your problem?"

     "Eric looks creepy as hell. You leave with him and next thing you know I'm going to be on the First 48, snitching on people saying random things" Vicky is serious and I find it comical to a certain extent. I know if it was the other way around I would be doing the same thing too.

     "He doesn't seem that bad."

     "Keywords you just used seem that bad. Which means he is that bad. Let's go." She grabs my hand turning on her heels.

     "Vicky you're over-exaggerating." I let her pull me throw the crowd towards the entrance. "Keep this same energy when I pull you away from another chick."

     An arm wraps around my waist pulling me back. Eyes widen slightly I hold onto Vicky's hand for dear life. My goodness, the guys here are beyond touchy-feely. "Avery," I relax upon hearing his voice but also tense up. His lips graze my ear and I shiver against him. "You leaving?"

     "I think it's for the best." I lie. I actually want to stay here in hopes he will be the one to take me home. "Yeah, it's for the best," I say again more to myself.

     He loosens his hold on me and I exhale deeply.

     "Are you heading back to the apartment or," he looks over at Vicky and she is rolling her eyes, tapping her foot impatiently.

     "She is dropping me off at home." my lips are suddenly dry and I can't stop licking them. I probably look like a fool at this point. If I do Avery doesn't comment on it and thankfully Vicky doesn't either.

     "I ca--"

     "No, you can not!" Vicky snaps. "You can't go home just yet. Give her some time to sober up." she whispers the last part to him, but I hear her.

     "Umm okay?" he asks, looking at her as if she has two heads.

     "Trust me." Is all she says grabbing my arm, pulling me out the bar. I want to throw a mini tantrum, but I know what Vicky is doing is for my own good. I just want to make all the bad decisions tonight and deal with the consequences in the morning. She flags down a taxi, helping me inside first. Giving the taxi driver my address, she leans back in the seat rubbing her temples.

     "What's the matter?" I ask.

     "I'm scared to leave you at the apartment." She glares at me and I just pout. "Don't make that face."

     "He won't try anything."

     "It's not him I'm worried about."

     "Me?" My eyes nearly popping out of my head.

     "Yes, you. You're my best friend I know when you want something or someone you will stop at nothing to get it. Regardless of the consequences. Drunk Avery is definitely a force not to be reckoned with."

     "Oh please, Vicky." I rest my head against the window, loving the way the cool glass feels. I hate to sit still while drunk, it makes it worst. "You aren't a saint yourself." I huff, closing my eyes.

     "Fine, f**k him tonight and see just how much you are going to regret it in the morning." she snaps.

     I ignore her. The rest of the taxi ride is filled with an awkward silence and I can't wait until we reach my apartment complex. I need out of here, I'm getting dizzy. I look out the window and see we are literally a few blocks from my place. I blindly dig in my purse pulling out money handing it to Vicky.

     "What am I supposed to do with this?" she holds up napkins in front of her face. "s**t! You're really hammered. You're coming back to my dorm room." I shake my head furiously. "Don't tell me no, Avery."

     "It was an honest mistake." I dig back in my purse pulling out a twenty-dollar bill. "Here." I hand it to her. The taxi comes to a stop and I jump out.

     "Avery!" I look back and see Vicky telling the driver something, before exiting the taxi. "Let me walk you upstairs."

     "It's okay, I got it."

     "Shut the hell up Ave and let's go."

     "But what about the taxi?"

     "He is waiting now come on."

      Vicky takes her time walking me up the stairs, cursing the elevator for being out of service. There are only six floors in this building, but still, we need a working elevator. Especially for times like this. I keep missing the damn step. Vicky groans as we reach my floor. I look straight ahead and see why. What the hell is she doing here?

     "Give me your keys," Vicky says and I go digging in my purse once again, retrieving the keys.

     As we get close to India, I cringe at her outfit. No one should wear that much pink ever. From her leather jacket to her pink heels. Even her toenails are painted pink. Vicky ignores her and squeezes her way to the door. India takes a step back glaring at Vicky before turning her judgmental eyes on me.

     "You look like shit." she turns her lip up in disgust.

     "Well, you look like a chewed up piece of bubblegum." I stick out my tongue, holding onto the wall for support.

     "Whatever, where is my Avery?" She waves me off looking back at Vicky.

     "He is at MDA2 with another female." Vicky shrugs opening the apartment door. "You should probably go there, she was very touchy-feely with him."

     "Did she have those Angelina Jolie pouty lips?" India asks.

     Vicky looks like she is thinking about it, looking up towards the ceiling. "Yup, she did and her body looked so tantalizing." She shivers.

     "What are you a lesbo?" India rolls her eyes, walking down the hallway.

      "I am and if you want to have a good time, I'm staying in the Pike's building room 7," she shouts down the hall and India replies back with an as if.

     Vicky stands up straight like a lightbulb went off. "I would love to stay and tuck you in, but my taxi is still waiting downstairs and I can't have her stealing it." she kisses me on the cheek. "Lock the door." she closes it behind her and I lock the bottom lock only. I'm not sure if I promised Avery I would put the chain lock on or not.

     I kick off my heels and go into the living room turning on the tv. I see some of my boxes in the corner. Some already open, ugh f*****g Avery. I search for my all-time favorite movie and the box is nearly empty when my eyes land on it, Life As We Know It. I stumble a bit making my way to the DVD player.

     I press play and plop down on the couch.

     Halfway through the movie, I hear the keys jingle and the front door opens. Avery closes and locks the door behind him. He turns around and our eyes land on each other. I place my wine glass on the table, before turning my attention back to the movie. I take a deep breath trying to focus on the movie. I can feel his eyes on me and I shiver. I don't feel as drunk as earlier, but I'm still very much tipsy.

     Just keep watching the tv. I repeat over and over. He takes a seat on the other end of the couch. "Hey," he says and I say nothing. He repeats himself again and I look at him.

     "Vicky said for you to take your time coming back." I turn back to the tv.

     "India showed up and things got out of hand. What are you watching?"

     I stand up. "I'm going to go to bed," I announce. "Have a good night."

     Avery wraps his hand around my wrist and the feeling of bad decision making is back. I look down at him as he stares up at me. His thumb is slowly rubbing against my skin and my breathing is coming out in short breaths. He leans forward on the couch and I bite down on my bottom lip, watching his every move.

     His free hand goes behind me. "Avery," he says.

     "Hm?"

     "Don't forget to wash this." He brings his hand back, now holding my wine glass. He lets go of my wrist and I take the wine glass, downing the rest of its content.

     "Right, have a good night." I can feel myself leaning to the right as I walk into the kitchen. Running the water, I take my time washing the wine glass. How could I be so stupid to think he wants to sleep with me? Why do I want to sleep with him, is the real question. I leave the kitchen, glancing in the living room. Avery is so into the movie and it's at the part where Eric and Holly are about to do the deed.

     At least someone is getting laid tonight. I walk into the bedroom not bothering to turn on the light, stripping out of my dress. I grab a shirt off the floor and lay on the bed staring up at the ceiling, in the darkroom. I can hear baby making music blasting. It could be from a car blasting outside or one of my neighbors. Either way, it isn't helping me right now.

     Why did he have to come home so early? Why does he have to look so fuckable?

     "Screw this." I huff, getting off the bed. I need a release. Opening the door I come face to face with Avery. I don't hesitate and lunge at him, wrapping my arms around his neck, smashing my lips against his.